Heikki Malinen appointed as Neste CEO, effective October 2024

Neste Corporation has officially announced that Heikki Malinen will assume the role of president and CEO on October 15, 2024. Malinen, who was appointed by Neste’s Board of Directors earlier this year, succeeds Matti Lehmus, who will continue as CEO until October 14, 2024. Lehmus will remain with the company as an advisor until mid-November 2024 to ensure a seamless transition.

Malinen is recognised for his extensive experience in leading international businesses and driving significant improvements in business performance. He is expected to bring strong leadership and strategic vision to Neste, particularly as the company continues to focus on renewable energy and sustainability initiatives.

Matti Kähkönen, chair of the Board of Neste, expressed his confidence in Malinen’s ability to lead the company in its next phase of growth. Malinen has a proven track record of successfully navigating challenging market conditions and building high-performing teams. We believe he is the ideal leader for Neste at this time, Kähkönen said. He also extended his gratitude to Lehmus for his dedicated service and contributions to the company’s development, particularly in the area of renewable products.

Neste, known for its commitment to sustainability, is the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel. The company has set ambitious goals, including reaching carbon-neutral production by 2035 and reducing the carbon intensity of its products by 50% by 2040.